Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Look Good Feel Better

For the past 22 months, I’d wanted to attend one of the Look
Good Feel Better seminars offered for women who’ve been diagnosed with cancer;
but every time a class came to a city near me, I never signed up. I don’t know
why I didn’t feel comfortable enough to call and register, but I didn’t. I knew,
if I went, I’d be around other breast cancer patients and survivors, but I was
still hesitant. For some reason, I just couldn’t do it.

At the beginning of May, I received a bi-monthly calendar of
events from my local cancer wellness center. I always look forward to receiving
the calendar because there are usually interesting classes available so I
flipped it open to see what was on the schedule. There were several art therapy
classes, writing classes, a one hour drumming class, and several more. The one
that caught my eye was the Look Good Feel Better class. I noticed the dates and
realized the next one was only a week away and it was going to be held at the
hospital around the corner from me. I read the little paragraph description
about the class. It said the program would teach beauty techniques to women who
were currently undergoing cancer treatment and help them learn to combat appearance
related side effects. I realized, as I continued reading, that I really needed
that class. I’d been so tired lately. The last time I looked in the mirror, I
noticed dark circles under my eyes. This was evidence of many sleepless nights
related to my inability to get comfortable. Although I was hesitant, I picked
up the phone and made myself call to sign up for the class. Registration was
fairly simple. A woman from the American
Cancer Society (partners in the Look Good Feel Better program) asked me
questions about my diagnosis and treatment then took some demographic
information. She asked what color I would consider my complexion and asked me
to use one of the words – light, medium, dark, or very dark. I told her I would
consider my skin tone to be light. She jotted down the information and gave me
instructions on how to find the class.

Before class began

The following week, on the morning of the class, it was
pouring down rain. Great…just what I needed, a reason not to go. I rolled over
in bed and closed my eyes. I lay there a few minutes enjoying the sound of the
thunder outside and then realized I needed to keep my commitment. As much as I
hated to do it, I made myself get out of bed, shower and get dressed. Since
they were going to be teaching me how to apply makeup properly, I assumed I was
to go to the class without my makeup on. That was going to be a real challenge
because I never go anywhere without some makeup on. I ate a quick breakfast,
grabbed my purse, and headed out the door.

When I reached the hospital, I went inside and followed the
directions I was given by the American Cancer Society volunteer. The staff at
the hospital had no idea where the Look Good Feel Better course was going to be
held and didn’t even have it on their schedule. I almost turned around and went
back home but decided I was going to stick this thing out. I found another
member of the hospital personnel and inquired about the class. The gentleman I
had asked had no clue where to send me but asked me to wait a few minutes while
he did some research. Finally, after about 15 minutes, I was told to go to the building
next door and to take the elevator down to the bottom floor. The class was going
to be held in the Radiation/Oncology clinic.

I was the first person to enter the classroom and was
greeted by a friendly young woman and a portly man. I was asked to take a seat
at a long conference table and fill out a registration form. As I was filling
out my form, a few other women came in. They’d all had trouble locating the
class, too. Only five women arrived for the class. I was glad to know it was
going to be a small group and began to feel a little more comfortable. I looked
around at the other women who’d come for the training. Two of the women were
bald and two were wearing wigs. I was the only one with a full set of short
hair. We were all in various stages of treatment. Two of the ladies were
currently undergoing chemotherapy, one had just begun radiation, one had just
completed radiation and then there was me…I had completed treatment for breast
cancer and was now undergoing therapy for Lymphedema, a side effect from my
surgery and having had lymph nodes removed. After everyone had been seated, the
class began.

Helping with application

The instructor handed each of us a magenta colored bag with
the words, Look Good Feel Better, inscribed in white across the front of the
bag. We were instructed to check the label and make sure our complexion color
was correct. I looked at my tag and sure enough, the word LIGHT was on my tag.
Next we were told to open our bags. As we looked inside, we were amazed at some
of the big name brand cosmetics inside. I began pulling out my items and found
ESTEE LAUDER, REVLON, IT COSMETICS, DIOR, and many others. There was a complete
set of makeup (foundation, powder, eye shadows, eye liner, moisturizers, eye
liner, lipstick, and concealer) along with makeup brushes and sponge
applicators. When everyone in the class had their products lined up in front of
them at the conference table, the instructor asked anyone wearing makeup to
remove it with the makeup removal cloths provided. I was able to skip that step
since I wasn’t wearing make up at all.

The five attendees

We watched and listened as the instructor gave helpful hints
and tips for applying makeup. Step by step each of the class members applied
one product after the other until we were transformed. The instructors took
time with each one of us to make sure we understood the proper application
methods. With all of the makeup applied, we each looked around the room at each
other and grinned. Instead of 5 worn and weathered women, we were now beautiful
and glowing. Even though we were all dealing with some level of pain or
discomfort, we actually did look good and feel better than we had when we’d
entered the room.

My makeup goodies

After the makeup session, the instructors gave information
on how to properly apply and wear a wig. They talked about the differences
between human hair wigs and synthetic wigs as well as the care for each. Head
coverings were next on the schedule and we watched as the male instructor
demonstrated how to twist and fold scarves to make unique and fun head covers.
We all laughed hysterically when he put one on his own head and pranced around
the room.

Randy, our instructor

Always apply with upward strokes

The ladies chatted for a few minutes and then gathered our
makeup items carefully placing them back into our magenta colored bags. The
class was dismissed but right before everyone got ready to leave, I asked if
one of the instructors would mind taking a group photo of the class for me. For
some reason, no sooner than I’d asked the questions, tears began to flow. The
instructor waited a few minutes and asked if I was okay. I don’t know where
that overflow of emotion had come from…I guess I’d just realized I was finally
starting to feel normal again. All of the ladies lined up for the photo and we
gave our best smiles. When I took my cellphone from the instructor to look at
the photo, I smiled. All of the ladies gathered round as I shared the picture
with them. “Don’t we all look so good?” I said. Each one smiled and agreed the
class had been a success. We all looked great and felt so much better. I’m so
thankful I made myself go to the class. I don’t know what I’d been afraid of
all those months prior.

My new makeup

One makeup kit is given to each woman attending the Look
Good Feel Better class. If a woman is ever diagnosed with recurrence or
receives a new diagnosis, she can reapply to attend another session and receive
another kit. The reason, according to our class instructor, for this rule is
because of the products donated by large makeup companies. They want to ensure
they have enough kits for every woman who needs one to be able to receive it.

2 comments:

I am so happy for you! I totally understand your wave of worry and feeling like you don't want to go, I still get that 3 years post. I also attended a look good feel better a few months after my transplant. They are amazing aren't they? It's lovely to meet other patients too! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself my lovely, you look beautiful!xxx